Notre Dame Set To Join Atlantic Coast Conference July 1

Greensboro, NC -- The Atlantic Coast Conference will boast three new schools for the 2013-2014 season, as the Big East announced Tuesday that Notre Dame will be released from that conference earlier than initially anticipated.

"This decision makes sense for the Big East," league president Mike Aresco said in a statement. "In view of Notre Dame's expressed desire to join the ACC on an earlier timetable, the Big East and Notre Dame were able to arrive at an acceptable resolution. The Big East can now focus fully on its future alignment and rebranding efforts."

The Fighting Irish will join Syracuse and Pittsburgh as the ACC's new members on July 1. Notre Dame will be a full member in the ACC for all sports but football and hockey. The Irish will play five ACC football games each season beginning in 2014.

"From a basketball perspective, the level of competition will be second to none, ACC commissioner John Swofford said in a statement Tuesday. "As we look towards the future, there's no denying that ACC basketball will continue to set even higher standards of excitement and excellence. The competition will be brutal, which is a great thing for our league and fans."

Notre Dame's director of athletics noted the school's excitement to join the ACC.

"Notre Dame now looks forward with great anticipation to becoming a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference," Jack Swarbrick said in a statement. "We are thrilled to join a great group of institutions who share our commitment to the integration of athletics into the academic mission of the university. Our coaches and student-athletes across our athletic programs are truly excited about the new challenges ahead."

The ACC will swell to 15 members for 2013. Louisville is set to join the conference in 2014 and will replace Maryland when the Terrapins depart for the Big Ten Conference.